By Milliam Murigi
Africa has some of the world’s most resilient and diverse livestock, yet much of this genetic wealth remains underused, undocumented, and increasingly threatened.
To help close this gap, the African Animal Breeders Network (AABNet), in collaboration with leading continental and global partners, has launched a landmark open-access book designed to reposition African livestock genetics at the heart of food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
“This book is our foundational text. One that helps professionalize animal breeding in Africa, combat genetic erosion, and ensure farmers have access to productive, trusted and adapted animals,” said Ed Rege, Chair of AABNet Executive Committee, during the book launch event in Nairobi.
Dubbed African Livestock Genetic Resources and Sustainable Breeding Strategies: Unlocking a Treasure Trove and Guide for Improved Productivity, the book consolidates decades of African-led research on livestock breeding, adaptation, and conservation. It offers a comprehensive guide covering livestock species across the continent along with breeding, feeding, health management, production systems and future technological needs.
It was launched in partnership with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), and the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
“This book is long overdue. African scientists have studied their own livestock through foreign texts for decades. Documenting our breeds is the first step to protecting them, because you cannot safeguard what you haven’t recorded. This book is a starting point, evidence that these breeds exist, where they are found, and why they matter,” he said.
Africa hosts roughly one-third of the world’s livestock population and is home to exceptional genetic diversity, including hundreds of indigenous breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, camels, donkeys and rabbits. These locally adapted animals have evolved over generations to withstand heat, disease pressure, variable feed availability, and low-input systems—conditions that define most African production environments and are intensifying under climate change.
Despite this, many indigenous breeds are declining or facing extinction. Indiscriminate crossbreeding with exotic animals, often promoted in the name of productivity, has eroded unique adaptive traits that make local breeds valuable in the first place. While indigenous animals may produce less per animal, they often perform better overall for smallholder farmers because they survive longer, require fewer inputs, and cope better with stress and disease.
The book argues that improving genetics, animal health and management together is a proven pathway to raise productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions per unit of output delivering both climate mitigation and food security benefits.
“Africa’s livestock genetic diversity is not just a heritage it is a climate and development tool,” said Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General of ILRI. “With science-based breeding strategies, we can improve productivity, enhance resilience, and reduce emissions intensity across African livestock systems.”
Rege noted that Africa possesses valuable animal genetics that are underused locally but increasingly utilized abroad. He cited the Boran breed a common breed in Kenya and shared with Ethiopia, which he said has been bred commercially in Texas for decades after genetic material was taken from Africa without compensation.
“The good thing is that International agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity could help countries protect such resources but only if they are properly documented,” he said.
Africa has historically undervalued its indigenous breeds according to him, favouring exotic animals that require high levels of feed, veterinary care and capital. This is despite the fact that in many low-income and climate-stressed settings, locally adapted breeds deliver higher overall returns when survival, costs and risk are taken into account.
The book emphasizes that successful genetic improvement programmes must be rooted in African production systems and farmer priorities. It calls for breeding objectives that balance productivity with adaptation, integrate farmers into decision-making, and strengthen institutions for data collection, genetic evaluation and long-term monitoring.
“Local breeds are the backbone of climate-resilient African agriculture,” said Mizeck Chagunda, Director of CTLGH. “Protecting and sustainably using these breeds through targeted breeding is essential if we are to safeguard livelihoods in a changing climate.”
It also explores emerging opportunities in genomic selection, reproductive technologies and gene editing, while stressing that advanced tools must complement not replace strong institutions and practical management.
Partners behind the book say its release marks a step toward a more coordinated African approach to livestock genetic improvement and conservation. Priorities include multi-country genetic evaluation, professional capacity building in animal breeding, stronger data systems, and partnerships that can scale successful breeding programmes.
“Conserving and using Africa’s indigenous livestock genetic resources is a matter of climate and development security,” said Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR. “Strategic investments in breeding and farmer-centred approaches will drive resilient livestock systems for Africa’s future.”
The book is open access and available for download, serving as a practical reference for policy, research, and training across Africa and globally. It can be accessed through this link: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-92076-9
